Press Release

Tax Day a Reminder of Need for Reform and Relief

(Washington, D.C.) – Tax day is fast approaching this Monday, and according to the Pew Research Center, 59 percent of Americans say “there is so much wrong with the federal tax system that Congress should completely change it.” The tax code has grown so complex that just the instruction book for filing a 1040 form has grown to over 200 pages. And according to the Tax Foundation, federal tax laws and regulations have grown to over 10 million words in length. It’s no surprise that the complexity of the process has left the majority of Americans with a negative reaction to doing their income taxes.

Marilinda García, National Spokesperson of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

“An unnecessarily complex tax system raises barriers to opportunity for everyone. Most working people don’t have the means to hire an accountant or a lawyer to sort through the paperwork and navigate loopholes to reduce their tax burden. Our current system disproportionately favors those who can, and is leading us down the road to a two-tiered society. An unfair and unequal tax code can only produce unfair and unequal outcomes. This needs to change, and a serious reform of the overly-complicated tax code is the only way to ensure that every American is treated fairly.

Moreover, the tax burden on working families has only grown in recent years. This administration has imposed new taxes on generous health care insurance policies, and on people who don’t buy insurance. Taxes have been raised on tanning services, tobacco, and a range of other products and services. And when President Obama signed a massive tax increase in 2013, it hit nearly 80 percent of American households. With wages barely growing, it is time for tax simplification - and relief.”